Star ingredient retinol has long been considered the gold standard anti-aging ingredient and an essential part of a nighttime skincare routine. However, newly popular is the emerging body retinol category, made up of body lotions, body butters, body serums and more that all contain retinol or retinol derivatives in them. “There are many different uses for a body retinol, such as anti-aging, acne, hyperpigmentation and keratosis pilaris,” says Aya Ahram, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab has a long history of testing anti-aging products, including retinol serums, retinol creams and more. For this story, GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek evaluated six body retinols, taking into consideration factors like texture, scent and absorption. Since retinol increases cell turnover, “it can potentially cause irritation in addition to causing sun sensitivity,” Wnek says. It is important to apply sunscreen always, but it is an absolute must if you are using a retinol body product, both Wnek and Dr. Ahram advise.
Ahead, the top 13 body retinols on the market, including options for dry skin, sensitive skin, crepey skin and more.
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Pros
- Lightweight formula
- Contains ingredients to nourish skin
Cons
- Watery formula can be messy
GH Beauty Award winner Bio-Oil is a classic skin healer and editor favorite. This iteration of the formula, a featherweight liquid body lotion, contains extra skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E plus botanicals like rose and jojoba oil to cushion the retinol. One tester noted how quickly it soaks into skin (it takes just “seconds”). There’s “no waiting time for the lotion to dry or sticky, greasy film, and it feels incredibly silky on,” the tester marveled. Some online reviewers do find it to be extremely watery.
| Key ingredients | Retinyl palmitate, hyaluronic acid |
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Pros
- Pump bottle design is convenient
- Feels like traditional body lotion
Cons
- Retinol may irritate skin if you apply too much, too fast
The lowest-priced option in our roundup, Olay’s powerful body lotion contains not just one, but two types of retinol. The pump bottle “makes application a breeze,” Wnek shares. “I like that I don’t have to open any lids.” It has a soft floral scent. The occlusive formula “absorbs well, not too fast or slow,” she adds. “It feels like a traditional body lotion without feeling too heavy or light on skin.”
It does leave a slight residue on skin, “but since it is a nighttime formula, that is what I usually prefer,” Wnek says. The retinol made our skin tingle a bit when applying, so this may not be the best pick for those with sensitive skin; regardless, start slowly (every other night) to avoid irritation.
| Key ingredients | Retinol, retinyl propionate, glycerin |
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Pros
- Moisturizing without being greasy
- Helps to fade dark spots
Cons
- Scent is polarizing
While many body retinols are offered in lotion form, this GH editor fave from Versed is instead a body butter. It has a “rich, nourishing texture,” says GH Beauty Director April Franzino, and she especially likes that it “feels moisturizing instead of just like a treatment product.” The luxe, hydrating formula doesn’t leave a greasy feel, and there are noticeable improvements: Another GH staffer uses it “on my arms and legs, and after a few weeks, I’ve noticed that my dark spots seem to be fading and my skin is smoother and softer.” Though some like the subtle cocoa butter scent, others find it to be off-putting.
| Key ingredients | Encapsulated retinol, peptides, shea butter |
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Pros
- Works quickly to make skin feel softer
- Lightweight texture doesn’t leave skin damp or slick
Cons
- May cause skin to peel
Beauty Pie’s body concentrate includes both retinol and glycolic acid to really clear up skin. GH Beauty Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler says she can feel noticeably softer skin after just a couple of nights using this formula. “It can cause some peeling, so alternate with a moisturizing lotion a few nights a week,” she recommends. She loves how lightweight it is upon application and that it doesn’t leave skin feeling damp or slick.
| Key ingredients | Granactive retinoid, niacinamide, glycolic acid |
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Read More: 13 Best Retinol Body Lotions of 2024, According to Evaluations